Dusé Mohamed Ali

Dusé Mohamed Ali (Bey Effendi) (21 November 1866 – 25 June 1945) (دوسي محمد علي) was an Egyptian-British actor and political activist, who became known for his African nationalism. He was also a playwright, historian, journalist, editor, and publisher. In 1912 he founded the African Times and Orient Review, later revived as the African and Orient Review, which published in total through 1920. He lived and worked mostly in England, with time in the United States and Nigeria. In the latter location, he founded the Comet Press Ltd, and The Comet newspaper in Lagos.

Ali was born in 1866 in Alexandria, Egypt. His father, Abdul Salem Ali, was an officer in the Egyptian Army. His mother was Sudanese. He received his early training in Egypt, but at the age of 9 or 10, his father arranged for him to go to England to be educated, His father died in 1882 while serving at the Battle of Tel el-Kebir in Egypt. After that, the younger Ali, then 16, was forced to return to Egypt. After settling affairs with his father's estate, Ali returned to England. As the ward of Canon Berry, he pursued studies at King's College London.

Ali had originally intended to study as a doctor and had started on related studies before his father's death. Afterward he wanted to write and act. On completing his studies at the University of London, he went on the stage. Known on stage as Dusé Mohammed, he distinguished himself and by the early 1900s became ranked among notable actors of his time.

Ali was in the company of Herbert Beerbohm Tree and in Lillie Langtry's production of Antony and Cleopatra at the Royal Princess Theatre, London.

As an actor, Ali toured the British Isles. He produced Othello and The Merchant of Venice at Hull, Yorkshire, in 1902, playing the parts of Othello and the Prince of Morocco. He earned praise from the British press.

...
Wikipedia